…….arrayed in holy garments, your vigour will be renewed each day like the morning dew. Psalm 110:3 (NLT)
There is no better time to be reminded that there is renewal of strength available to us than right now. As I write we are already into the second month of a new year that will bring new challenges.
After the Christmas holidays (which last for a few weeks here in Australia) I am finding it a little difficult to get my mind and body geared up for what is proving to be a busy and challenging first half of this year. Though not so challenging and heartbreaking as thousands of people in our land who are dealing with severe floods in the north and south and fires in the west. Many have lost everything but their lives and our heartfelt prayers go heavenward for them.
What a comfort the word of God is just when we need it; “As your days, so shall your strength be….” (Deuteronomy 33:25); “those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength;” (Isaiah 40:31); “The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;” (Psalm 28:7). There are so many passages of comfort and encouragement for us as believers to grab a hold of and walk in.
The scripture at the top of this devotional grabbed my attention late last year. The full verse reads “In that day of battle, your people will serve you willingly. Arrayed in holy garments, your vigor will be renewed each day like the morning dew.” What a promise to have. There will be battles this year, maybe not severe ones for you personally, but you will know people who face battles; sickness, loss, loneliness, fear and so on. For those times, the word of God gives us clear promises to believe. You will see that there is almost a condition here. It says “arrayed in holy garments…..” . What does that mean for us? I think it means that we put on the garment of salvation and the robe of righteousness that Jesus has given to us (Isaiah 61:10), we put on the garment of praise (Isaiah 61:3) and we put on the whole armour of God (Ephesians 6:11). If we array ourselves in these garments the promise is that our strength will be renewed each day for whatever we face. Hallelujah!
Not only that we will be in a position to take up the challenge that Jesus gave Peter before he realised that he wasn’t as strong as he thought he was…. “But I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not: and when you are converted, strengthen thy brethren.” (Luke 22:32). We need to realise that we need to walk in His strength, His power, His righteousness, His holiness. We do not rely on ourselves because without Him we are nothing. Then we can strengthen those around us.
Prayer: Jesus, my Saviour and my friend, help me to walk through this year strengthened in the knowledge that I can do nothing without you, but with you I can do all things with you. Amen
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